Genetic Tests for Antidepressants – CNS Dose

About a year ago we reviewed the data on the use of genetic tests for antidepressants as well as other medications and identified three pharmacogenetic panels that seem to have research support: Genecept by Genomind, Genesight, and CNS Dose. Of these three we have been using Genecept and Genesight with some success but now we are happy to add to that the CNS Dose panel.

Each of these panels covers slightly different genes and has somewhat different value.

The CNS Dose panel focus is on a smaller number of genetic tests and is not report individual data for each of these genes, but rather summarizes it with a set of recommendations specifically focused on antidepressant selection and dosing. This has advantages and disadvantages. One of the advantages is that it is quite clear what the recommended course of action is in this may make it somewhat easier to test the usefulness of the panel.

Perhaps for this reason, the data supporting the value of the CNS Dose panel is particularly compelling in those patients being considered for initial treatment with an antidepressant.